Method for determining a state of a component in a high lift system of an aircraft, high lift system of an aircraft and aircraft having such a high lift system

Abstract

A method for determining a state of a component in a high lift system of an aircraft, the high lift system including a central power control unit for providing rotational power by a transmission shaft; and drive stations coupled with the power control unit and movable high lift surfaces, includes acquiring in an extended position in flight a first position of a first position pick-off unit coupled with the component, mechanically coupled with a high lift surface, and coupled with a drive station; acquiring in flight a second position of a second position pick-off unit arranged in or at the central power control unit in the extended position; determining a deviation between a first measure based on the first position and a second measure based on the second position; determining, whether the deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold; and if so, generating a signal indicating an abnormal state of the component.

1 . A method for determining a state of a component in a high lift system of an aircraft, the high lift system comprising a central power control unit for providing rotational power by a transmission shaft; and drive stations coupled with the power control unit and movable high lift surfaces, the method comprising:
 acquiring, by a control unit, in an extended position in flight at least one first position of a first position pick-off unit coupled with the component, is the component being mechanically coupled with one of the high lift surfaces, and coupled with one of the drive stations;   acquiring, by the control unit, in flight a second position of a second position pick-off unit arranged in or at the central power control unit in the extended position;   determining, by the control unit, a deviation between a first measure based on the first position and a corresponding second measure based on the second position in the extended position;   determining, by the control unit, whether the deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold; and   generating, by the control unit, a signal indicating an abnormal state of the component in case the deviation exceeds the predetermined threshold.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first position pick-off unit is arranged at a drive station. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the measure based on the second position is multiplied with a correction factor depending on a gear ratio between the power control unit and the drive station. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the measure based on the first position is proportional to the first position, and
 wherein the measure based on the second position is proportional to the second position.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the deviation comprises calculating the difference between the first measure and the second measure. 
     
     
         6 . A high lift system for an aircraft, the system comprising:
 a central power control unit for providing rotational power by a transmission shaft;   at least one high lift surface, each coupled with at least two drive stations, the drive stations being coupled with the power control unit;   at least one control unit coupled with the central power control unit;   a first position pick-off unit mechanically coupled with one of the at least two drive stations; and   a second position pick-off unit arranged in or at and directly coupled with the central power control unit,   wherein the control unit is adapted for acquiring in an extended position in flight at least one first position of a first position pick-off unit coupled with the component, is the component mechanically coupled with one of the high lift surfaces, and coupled with one of the drive stations; acquiring in flight a second position of a second position pick-off unit arranged in or at the central power control unit in the extended position; determining a deviation between a first measure based on the first position and a corresponding second measure based on the second position in the extended position; determining, whether the deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold; and generating a signal indicating an abnormal state of the component in case the deviation exceeds the predetermined threshold.   
     
     
         7 . An aircraft, comprising a wing and a high lift system comprising:
 a central power control unit for providing rotational power by a transmission shaft;   at least one high lift surface, each coupled with at least two drive stations, the drive stations being coupled with the power control unit;   at least one control unit coupled with the central power control unit;   a first position pick-off unit mechanically coupled with one of the at least two drive stations; and   a second position pick-off unit arranged in or at and directly coupled with the central power control unit,   wherein the control unit is adapted for acquiring in an extended position in flight at least one first position of a first position pick-off unit coupled with the component, is the component mechanically coupled with one of the high lift surfaces, and coupled with one of the drive stations; acquiring in flight a second position of a second position pick-off unit arranged in or at the central power control unit in the extended position; determining a deviation between a first measure based on the first position and a corresponding second measure based on the second position in the extended position; determining, whether the deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold; and generating a signal indicating an abnormal state of the component in case the deviation exceeds the predetermined threshold.